Dynamic MIMO resource allocation during a single communication

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing dynamic allocation of MIMO communication resources during a single communication. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise determining a first set of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating a first portion of a unit of information. The first set of MIMO communication resources may be allocated for communicating the first portion of the unit of information. A second set of MIMO communication resources may be determined to utilize for communicating a second portion of the unit of information, where the second set of MIMO communication resources is different from the first set of MIMO communication resources. The second set of MIMO communication resources may be allocated for communicating the second portion of the unit of information. The first and second portions of the unit of information may, for example, be communicated consecutively or concurrently.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application is related to and claims priority fromprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/601,342, filed Aug. 13, 2004,and titled “DYNAMIC MIMO RESOURCE ALLOCATION ACROSS A SINGLECOMMUNICATION,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. This patent application is related to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/092,194, filed Mar. 29. 2005, entitled“DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION OF COMMUNICATION RESOURCES IN AMULTI-TRANSCEIVER CONFIGURATION” and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/092,349, filed Mar. 29. 2005, entitled “MULTI-TRANSCEIVER SYSTEM WITHMIMO AND BEAM-FORMING CAPABILITY”.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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SEQUENCE LISTING

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MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various communication systems may utilize single transmission pathcommunications or multiple transmission path communications (e.g.,Multiple Input Multiple Output “MIMO” communication). MIMO communicationgenerally involves utilizing a plurality of antennas, which add aspatial dimension to the frequency and time (or code) communicationdimensions, which are commonly utilized. Various MIMO communicationresources (e.g., antennas, transceivers, codecs, etc.) may be utilizedfor a communication.

Various portions of a communicated unit of information may correspond todifferent respective communication needs. For example, certain portionsof a unit of information may correspond to a higher communicationpriority than other portions. For example and without limitation, amulti-media communication may comprise audio and video information,where the audio information is more (or less) important to the overallcommunication than the video information. Also for example, a particularcommunication may comprise the primary information being communicatedalong with information that generally supports communication of theprimary information (e.g., packet header information and traininginformation), where the communication support information may be more(or less) important to the overall communication than the primaryinformation.

During the communication of a unit of information, communicationconditions or constraints may vary. For example and without limitation,noise (natural and man-made), energy supply, quality goals and availablebandwidth may change. Also for example, the nature of the informationbeing communicated, geographical position of communicating systems andmulti-path conditions may change.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method forproviding dynamic allocation of MIMO communication resources during asingle communication, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and novelfeatures of the present invention, as well as details of illustrativeaspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the followingdescription and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary MIMO transmittingconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary MIMO receivingconfiguration.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for allocatingMIMO communication resources, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for allocatingMIMO communication resources, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for allocatingMIMO communication resources, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system that allocates MIMOcommunication resources, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion may illustrate various aspects of the presentinvention by referring to communication systems havingMultiple-Input-Multiple-Output (“MIMO”) communication capability. FIGS.1 and 2 illustrate basic MIMO transmitting and receiving configurations,respectively. Note, however, that the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of particularMIMO system configurations.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system 100having a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (“MIMO”) transmittingconfiguration. The channel encoder 110 receives data. The data maycomprise any of a variety of data types, including but not limited to,audio data, video data, textual data, graphical data, pictorial data,etc. The channel encoder 110 may comprise any of a variety of encodertypes. For example and without limitation, the channel encoder 110 maycomprise characteristics of a conventional encoder, error correctionencoder, MIMO encoder, etc.

The exemplary system 100 may comprise an interleaver 120 that receivesthe encoded data from the channel encoder 110. The interleaver 120 may,for example, perform interleaving to spread errors. The exemplary system100 may comprise a serial-to-parallel converter 130 that divides thesingle data stream out of the interleaver 120 (or channel encoder 110)into a plurality of (e.g., up to N) parallel paths. The outputs of theserial-to-parallel converter 130 may be coupled to a plurality oftransmitters (e.g., transmitter 140 through transmitter 150) andrespective antennas for transmission.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system 200having an exemplary MIMO receiving configuration. A plurality oftransmitted signals may arrive at the plurality of (e.g., up to M)antennas and respective receivers (e.g., receiver 210 through receiver220). The receivers 210-220 may provide the simultaneously receivedsignals to a MIMO demodulator 230. The MIMO demodulator 230 may providea serial stream of information to a de-interleaver 240 and to a channeldecoder 250 to convert the received signals into output data.

Note that the exemplary MIMO systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 aremerely illustrative examples of basic MIMO systems. It should be notedthat a MIMO system may comprise many various alternative configurations.Further, it should be noted that many characteristics of MIMO systemsare shared with MISO systems.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 forallocating MIMO communication resources, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 300 may beimplemented by any of a variety of communication systems with MIMOcommunication capability (e.g., that comprise a plurality of antennasand/or antenna elements). For example and without limitation, the method300, or portions thereof, may be implemented by various modules orsystems of a MIMO communication network (e.g., a base station, accesspoint, or central controller). Also for example, the method 300 may beimplemented by a fixed or portable MIMO communication system thatcommunicates with a MIMO communication network. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular communication system that may implementthe exemplary method 300.

The following discussion may refer to communication of a “unit ofinformation.” A unit of information may generally be considered to be aquantifiable amount of related information. For example and withoutlimitation, a unit of information may be a packet, bit, symbol, dataframe, message, song, program, music video, movie, timed segment of acommunication (e.g., n-seconds of a phone conversation), etc. Suchinformation may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types ofinformation (e.g., textual, graphical, multi-media, video, audio,pictorial, general data, telephone call, etc.). The scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of information or by any arbitrarynotion of what a unit of such information may comprise.

The following discussion may also refer to one or more portions of aunit of information. A portion of a unit of information may comprisecharacteristics of any of a variety of divisions of a unit ofinformation. For example and without limitation, a portion of a unit ofinformation may correspond to a time-divided portion of the unit ofinformation. Also for example, a portion of a unit of information maycorrespond to one or more media of a multi-media communication (e.g., anaudio component or a video component). Further for example, a portion ofa unit of information may correspond to communication-supportinformation (e.g., packet ID, frame ID, protocol ID, program ID,security information, etc.). Still further for example, a portion of aunit of information may correspond to one or more channels of amulti-channel communication. Also for example, a portion of a unit ofinformation may correspond to one or more parallel streams of amulti-stream communication. Also for example, a portion of a unit ofinformation may correspond to a relatively higher or lower prioritycomponent of the unit of information.

For illustrative purposes, the following discussion may generally referto first and second portions of information. Two-portion examples aregenerally presented for illustrative clarity and should not limit thescope of various aspects of the present invention to two-portionscenarios. For example, various aspects of the present invention arereadily extensible to three-portion and n-portion scenarios.

In a first non-limiting exemplary scenario, a first portion of a unit ofinformation may primarily comprise communication-support information,and a second portion of the unit of information may primarily comprisegeneral communication information (e.g., the main information to beconveyed in the communication). For example, a first portion of a unitof information may comprise packet identity or program identityinformation, and a second portion of the unit of information maycomprise information describing a multi-media program.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, a first portion of a unit ofinformation may primarily comprise first medium information of amulti-media communication, and a second portion of the unit ofinformation may primarily comprise second medium information of themulti-media communication. For example, a first portion of a unit ofinformation may generally comprise audio information, and a secondportion of the unit of information may generally comprise videoinformation. Also for example, a first portion of a unit of informationmay generally comprise basic audio information, a second portion of theunit of information may comprise high-fidelity audio information, athird portion of the unit of information may comprise standard videoinformation, and a fourth portion of the unit of information maycomprise high-definition video information.

In yet another non-limiting exemplary scenario, a first portion of aunit of information may comprise a first one or more of a plurality ofparallel streams of information associated with a unit of information,and a second portion of the unit of information may comprise a secondone or more of the plurality of parallel streams. In still anothernon-limiting exemplary scenario, a first portion of the unit ofinformation may comprise a first serial time segment of the unit ofinformation, and a second portion of the unit of information maycomprise a second serial time segment of the unit of information. Forexample, a first portion of the unit of information may primarilycomprise a first n seconds of a telephone conversation, and a secondportion of the unit of information may primarily comprise a second mseconds of the telephone conversation.

In general, a portion of a unit of information may comprisecharacteristics of any of a variety of divisions of a unit ofinformation. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of a particularportion or component of a unit of information.

The following discussion may also generally refer to MIMO communicationresources. A MIMO communication resource may generally be considered tobe a hardware or software resource, or portion thereof, that isgenerally associated with performing MIMO communications. For exampleand without limitation, exemplary MIMO communication resources maycomprise antennas, transceivers, encoders/decoders, mappers, channels,portions of various resources, etc. Also for example, an exemplary MIMOcommunication resource may comprise a timed portion of a hardware and/orsoftware resource. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular MIMO communication resource.

The exemplary method 300 may begin executing at step 310. The exemplarymethod 300 (and other methods discussed herein, for example, exemplarymethods 400-500) may begin executing for any of a variety of reasons.For example and without limitation, the exemplary method 300 may beginin response to a user or automated input initiating a communication.Also for example, the exemplary method 300 may begin in response to amessage arriving from another communication system. Further for example,the exemplary method 300 may begin in response to one or more detectedor determined communication environment conditions. Still further forexample, the exemplary method 300 may begin in response to timerexpiration. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of any particularinitiating cause or condition.

Portions of the following discussion will include illustrations of acommunication system implementing the exemplary method 300 communicatingwith a second communication system. Such a one-to-one communicationscenario is presented for illustrative clarity and should not limit thescope of various aspects of the present invention to characteristics ofa one-to-one communication scenario. For example and without limitation,various aspects of the present invention also may apply to broadcast andmulti-cast communication scenarios. Additionally, portions of thefollowing discussion may focus on the transmission of information or thereception of information, depending on the particular scenario. Itshould be noted that providing an illustration based on transmission orreception should not limit the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention to one of transmission or reception. Various aspects of thepresent invention are readily extensible to receiving and/ortransmitting information.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 320, comprise determining a firstset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating a firstportion of a unit of information. Various general characteristics ofportions of a unit of information were discussed previously.

Step 320 may, for example and without limitation, comprise determiningthe first (or 2^(nd) or n^(th)) portion of the unit of information. Sucha determination may be performed in any of a variety of manners. Variousexemplary characteristics of such a determination will be discussedlater with regard to the exemplary methods 400, 500 illustrated in FIGS.4 and 5.

The first set of MIMO communication resources may comprise any of avariety of MIMO communication resources or one or more portions thereof.For example and without limitation, the first set of MIMO communicationresources may comprise a first plurality of antennas. In a non-limitingexemplary scenario, the first set of MIMO communication resources maycomprise three of four available MIMO antennas. Also for example andwithout limitation, the first set of MIMO communication resources maycomprise a first plurality of transceivers. In a non-limiting exemplaryscenario, the first set of MIMO communication resources may comprise twoof four available transceivers.

Step 320 may comprise determining the first set of MIMO communicationresources in any of a variety of manners. For example and withoutlimitation, step 320 may comprise determining the minimum number of MIMOcommunication resources necessary to meet minimum communication qualitygoals for the first portion of the unit of information. Also forexample, step 320 may comprise determining the number of MIMOcommunication resources that may communicate the first portion of theunit of information in the most energy-efficient manner. Further forexample, step 320 may comprise determining the first set of MIMOcommunication resources based, at least in part, on the available MIMOcommunication resources at other communication systems. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of any particular manner of determining a set of MIMOcommunication resources.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 330, comprise allocating the firstset of MIMO communication resources for communicating the first portionof the unit of information. Step 330 may comprise performing suchallocation in any of a variety of manners. Such allocating may, forexample, be performed by cross-listing the first set of MIMOcommunication resources with the first portion of the unit ofinformation. Also for example, such allocating may be performedutilizing allocation flags, arrays and/or tables. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of performing a resourceallocation.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 340, comprise determining a secondset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information, the second set of MIMOcommunication resources being different (i.e., at least a portion ofrespective set members being different) from the first set of MIMOcommunication resources.

As will be discussed later in the discussion of the exemplary methods400-500 illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, such a determination may be performedat any of a variety of times and in response to any of a variety ofconditions. For example and without limitation, such a determination maybe performed prior to communicating the unit of information (e.g., priorto beginning communication of the first and second portions of the unitof information). Also for example, such a determination may be performedduring or after communication of the first portion of the unit ofinformation and prior to communication of the second portion of the unitof information. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of any particulartiming or initiating condition for determining the second set of MIMOcommunication resources.

As discussed previously, the second portion of the unit of informationmay be related to the first portion of the unit of information in any ofa variety of manners. For example and without limitation, the first andsecond portions may correspond to different priority informationcomponents of the unit of information. Also for example, the first andsecond portions may correspond to different media in a multi-mediacommunication. Further for example the first and second portions maycorrespond to different types of information (e.g., communicationsupport and/or control information and the general information to becommunicated). Still further for example, the first and second portionsmay correspond to different resolutions or representations of a similartype of information.

In general, the second portion of the unit of information may comprisecharacteristics of any of a variety of divisions of the unit ofinformation. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of a particularportion or component of a unit of information.

As mentioned previously, the second set of MIMO communication resourcesmay be generally different (i.e., not having exactly the samemembership) from the first set of MIMO communication resources. In anon-limiting exemplary scenario, the first set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise all of the available antennas (e.g., andassociated transceivers), while the second set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise less than all of the available antennas. Inanother non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources might have a first and second transceiver, while the secondset of MIMO communication resources might have a first, second and thirdtransceiver. In another non-limiting example, the first set of MIMOcommunication resources might comprise first, second and third antennasand associated transceivers, while the second set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise only a fourth antenna and associatedtransceiver.

In a further non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise a relatively large amount of available MIMOcommunication resources, and the second set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise a relatively small amount of available MIMOcommunication resources. In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, thefirst set of MIMO communication resources might generally correspond torelatively high reliability communications, while the second set of MIMOcommunication resources might generally correspond to relatively lowreliability communications. There may be overlapping members of thefirst and second sets of MIMO communication resources, but suchoverlapping membership is not necessary.

In general, the second set of MIMO communication resources may begenerally different (i.e., not having exactly the same membership) fromthe first set of MIMO communication resources. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of particular respective memberships of the first andsecond sets of MIMO communication resources.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 350, comprise allocating thesecond set of MIMO communication resources for communicating the secondportion of the unit of information. Step 350 may comprise performingsuch allocation in any of a variety of manners. Such allocating may, forexample, be performed by cross-listing the second set of MIMOcommunication resources with the second portion of the unit ofinformation. Also for example, such allocating may be performedutilizing allocation flags, arrays and/or tables. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of performing a resourceallocation.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 360, comprise performing continuedprocessing. Such continued processing may comprise characteristics ofany of a large variety of continued processing. For example and withoutlimitation, step 360 may comprise communicating the first and secondportions of the unit of information utilizing the first and second setsof MIMO communication resources, respectively. As will be discussedlater with regard to the exemplary methods 400, 500 illustrated in FIGS.4-5, communicating the first and second portions of the unit ofinformation may be performed in series or parallel.

Step 360 may, for example and without limitation, comprise performinguser interface functions. Step 360 may also, for example, comprisemonitoring communication quality and/or communication conditionsassociated with communicating the unit of information. Step 360 mayalso, for example, comprise waiting for additional communication to berequested. Also for example, step 360 may comprise looping execution ofthe method 300 back up to steps 320 or 340 for re-determination of MIMOcommunication resources to allocate (e.g., to communicate additionalunits of information, or portions thereof, or in response to detectedcommunication conditions). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects ofthe present invention should not be limited by particular types ofcontinued processing that may be performed by a system implemented theexemplary method 300.

The exemplary method 300 was presented to provide specific illustrationsof generally broader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby specific characteristics of the exemplary method 300.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 400 forallocating MIMO communication resources, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 400 may, forexample and without limitation, share various characteristics with theexemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 420, comprise determining a firstset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating a firstportion of a unit of information. Step 420 may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with step 320 of the exemplarymethod 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed previously.

Step 420 may, for example and without limitation, comprise determiningthe first (or 2^(nd) or n^(th)) portion of the unit of information(e.g., to which the determined first set of MIMO communication resourcesmay correspond). Step 420 may comprise making such determination(s) inany of a variety of manners. For example and without limitation, step420 may comprise determining the first portion of the unit ofinformation based, at least in part, on information priority. Forexample, step 420 may comprise determining that a unit of informationcomprises information of different types, each of which having acorresponding priority. In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, step 420may comprise determining that a first portion of a videoconferencecomprises audio information, which may have a higher priority than asecond portion of the videoconference comprising video information. Inanother exemplary scenario, step 420 may comprise determining that afirst portion of a telephone communication comprises communicationsupport information, which may have a higher priority than a secondportion of the telephone communication comprising general voiceinformation.

Also for example and without limitation, step 420 may comprisedetermining the first portion of the unit of information to be theentire unit of information (e.g., at least for the time being). In anexemplary scenario, step 420 may comprise determining that the firstportion of the unit of information is the entire unit of informationuntil an event occurs that causes a second portion of the unit ofinformation to be determined. Such an event may comprise characteristicsof any of a variety of communication events, including by not limitedto, noise conditions, user input, changing geographical location, changein communicated information, changing multi-path conditions, changingenergy supply, component failure, etc.

In general, in various non-limiting exemplary scenarios, step 420 maycomprise determining the first portion of the unit of information and/orother portions of the unit of information. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of making such determination.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 430, comprise allocating the firstset of MIMO communication resources (e.g., as determined at step 420)for communicating the first portion of the unit of information. Step 430may, for example and without limitation, share various characteristicswith step 330 of the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 anddiscussed previously.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 432, comprise communicating thefirst portion of the unit of information utilizing the first set of MIMOcommunication resources (e.g., as determined at step 420 and allocatedat step 430). Step 432 may comprise communicating the first portion ofthe unit of information in any of a variety of manners. For example andwithout limitation, step 432 may comprise encoding the first portion ofthe unit of information in accordance with a first MIMO encoding scheme.

In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, where the first set of MIMOcommunication resources includes two of four available antennas, step432 may comprise encoding the first portion of the unit of informationin accordance with an order-2 MIMO encoding scheme, and thentransmitting the encoded information from the two allocated antennas.Such communication may, for example, comprise initially communicatingMIMO training information to the recipient(s) of the communication. Thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby any particular manner of communicating information utilizing a set ofMIMO communication resources.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 434, comprise, while communicatingthe first portion of the unit of information, monitoring communicationconditions. Such communication conditions may comprise characteristicsof any of a variety of communication conditions. For example and withoutlimitation, the communication conditions may comprise communicationenvironmental conditions (e.g., noise, available bandwidth, multi-pathenvironment, location of communicating systems, etc.). Also for example,the communication conditions may comprise the nature of the informationbeing communicated, which may change during a communication. Further forexample, the communication conditions may comprise various communicationconstraints, such as, quality goals or requirements, energy availabilityor requirements, component availability or failure, etc. Accordingly,the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not belimited by characteristics of any particular communication conditionthat may be monitored during communication of the first portion of theunit of information.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 436, comprise determining whetherto adjust the MIMO communication resource allocation for a next (orsecond) portion of the unit of information. Step 436 may, for example,make such a determination based, at least in part, on communicationconditions monitored at step 434. For example, a significant change inone or more communication conditions during communication of the firstportion of the unit of information may warrant a change in MIMOcommunication resources allocated to communicate a second portion of theunit of information.

In a first non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first set of MIMOcommunication resources may comprise all four of four availableantennas. Due to a detected change in multi-path communicationconditions (e.g., a communicating system moving into a wide open area)monitored at step 434, step 436 may comprise determining that adifferent set of MIMO communication resources may be more appropriatefor communicating a second portion of the unit of information.

In a second non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first set of MIMOcommunication resources may comprise two of four available antennas. Dueto a detected significant increase in noise level monitored at step 434,step 436 may comprise determining that a different set of MIMOcommunication resources may be more appropriate for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information.

In a third non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first set of MIMOcommunication resources may comprise three of four availabletransceivers. Due to a detected significant change in the amount ofenergy remaining for communication (e.g., monitored at step 434), step436 may comprise determining that a different set of MIMO communicationresources may be more appropriate for communicating a second portion ofthe unit of information (e.g., to conserve energy).

In a fourth non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first set of MIMOcommunication resources may comprise two of four antennas. Due to adetected user request for higher quality communications (e.g., monitoredat step 434), step 436 may comprise determining that a different set ofMIMO communication resources may be appropriate for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information.

If an adjustment in allocated MIMO communication resources is notwarranted, step 436 may comprise looping back to step 434 for continuedmonitoring of communication conditions. If an adjustment in allocatedMIMO communication resources is warranted, step 436 may direct executionflow of the exemplary method 400 to step 440.

In general, step 436 may comprise determining whether to adjust the MIMOcommunication resource allocation for communicating a next (or second)portion of the unit of information. Accordingly, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular criterion for making suchdetermination or manner of making such determination.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 440, comprise determining a secondset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information, the second set of MIMOcommunication resources being different from the first set of MIMOcommunication resources. Step 440 may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with step 340 of the exemplarymethod 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed previously.

Step 440 may, for example and without limitation, comprise determiningthe second (or n^(th)) portion of the unit of information (e.g., towhich the determined second set of MIMO communication resources maycorrespond). Step 440 may comprise making such determination(s) in anyof a variety of manners, some of which were discussed previously withregard to step 420.

Continuing the non-limiting exemplary scenarios discussed previouslywith regard to exemplary step 436, in the first non-limiting exemplaryscenario, due to a detected change in multi-path communicationconditions (e.g., a communicating system moving into a wide open area)monitored at step 434, step 440 may comprise determining that only twoantennas or one antenna may be more appropriate for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information. In the second non-limitingexemplary scenario, due to a detected significant increase in noiselevel monitored at step 434, step 440 may comprise determining that anincreased number of MIMO communication resources may be more appropriatefor communicating a second portion of the unit of information.

In the third non-limiting exemplary scenario, due to a detectedreduction in the amount of energy remaining for communication (e.g.,monitored at step 434), step 440 may comprise determining that a lesseramount (or greater amount, depending on the exact conditions) of MIMOcommunication resources may be appropriate for communicating a secondportion of the unit of information. In the fourth non-limiting exemplaryscenario, due to a detected user request for higher qualitycommunications (e.g., monitored at step 434), step 440 may comprisedetermining that the full set of MIMO communication resources beutilized for communicating a second portion of the unit of information.

In general, exemplary step 440 may comprise determining a second set ofMIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating a secondportion of the unit of information, the second set of MIMO communicationresources being different from the first set of MIMO communicationresources. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular setof MIMO communication resources or any particular manner of determininga set of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communication.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 450, comprise allocating thesecond set of MIMO communication resources for communicating the secondportion of the unit of information. Step 450 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various characteristics with exemplary step430 and with steps 330 and 350 of the exemplary method 300 illustratedin FIG. 3 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 452, comprise communicating thesecond portion of the unit of information utilizing the second set ofMIMO communication resources (e.g., as determined at step 440 andallocated at step 450). Step 452 may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with exemplary step 432discussed previously.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 460, comprise performing continuedprocessing. Step 460 may, for example and without limitation, sharevarious characteristics with step 360 of the exemplary method 300illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed previously. For example, step 460may comprise performing user interface processing. Also for example,step 460 may comprise completing communication of the second portion ofthe unit of information utilizing the second set of MIMO communicationresources. Further for example, step 460 may comprise looping executionflow of the exemplary method 400 back to step 434 for continuedmonitoring of communication conditions (e.g., with the potential tochange to a third or n^(th) set of allocated MIMO communicationresources for communicating a third or n^(th) portion of the unit ofinformation). The scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of any particular continuedprocessing.

The exemplary method 400 was presented to provide specific illustrationsof generally broader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby specific characteristics of the exemplary method 400.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500 forallocating MIMO communication resources, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 500 may, forexample and without limitation, share various characteristics with theexemplary methods 300, 400 illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 and discussedpreviously.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 515, comprise determining aplurality of portions of the unit of information (e.g., prior tocommunicating the unit of information). As discussed previously withregard to step 420 of the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4,portions of the unit of information may be determined in any of avariety of manners.

For example and without limitation, step 515 may comprise determining afirst and second (to n^(th)) portion of the unit of information in anyof a variety of manners. For example and without limitation, step 515may comprise determining portions of the unit of information based, atleast in part, on information priority or information type. For example,step 515 may comprise determining a plurality of portions of the unit ofinformation, each of which may comprise a portion of the unit of theinformation to be communicated simultaneously (e.g., parallel streams ofaudio and video information).

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 520, comprise determining aplurality of sets of MIMO communication resources, corresponding to theplurality of portions of the unit of information (e.g., as determined atstep 515), to utilize for communicating the plurality of portions. Step520 may, for example and without limitation, share variouscharacteristics with steps 320, 340, 420 and 440 of the exemplarymethods 300, 400 illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 530, comprise allocating each ofthe plurality of sets of MIMO communication resources to a correspondingportion of the unit of information. Step 530 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various characteristics with steps 330, 350,430 and 450 of the exemplary methods 300, 400 illustrated in FIGS. 3-4and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 532, comprise communicating thefirst and second portions of the unit of information (e.g.,simultaneously) utilizing the first and second sets of MIMOcommunication resources, respectively (e.g., as determined at step 520and allocated at step 530). In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, step532 may comprise communicating a first portion of the unit ofinformation utilizing the first set of MIMO communication resources,while communicating a second portion of the unit of informationutilizing the second set of MIMO communication resources.

The exemplary method 500 was presented to provide specific illustrationsof generally broader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby specific characteristics of the exemplary method 500.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system 600 that allocatesMIMO communication resources, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. Various components of the exemplary system 600 may,for example and without limitation, share various functionalcharacteristics with the exemplary methods 300-500 illustrated in FIGS.3-5 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 600 may correspond to, or be integrated with, anyof a variety of communication systems with MIMO communicationcapability. For example and without limitation, the system 600, orportions thereof, may correspond to various modules or systems of a MIMOcommunication network (e.g., a base station, access point, or centralcontroller). Also for example, the system 600 may correspond to a fixedor portable MIMO communication system that communicates with a MIMOcommunication network. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of aparticular communication system that may correspond to, or be integratedwith, the exemplary system 600.

The exemplary system 600 may comprise a resource allocation module 610and a MIMO resource pool 620 comprising MIMO resources (e.g., a firstset of MIMO processing resources 621 and a second set of MIMO processingresources 622). The exemplary system 600 may also comprise acommunication condition monitor 630. The exemplary system 600 mayfurther comprise a plurality of transceivers (e.g., a first transceiver640 through n^(th) transceiver 650) and corresponding antennas (e.g., afirst antenna 660 through n^(th) antenna 670). Also the exemplary system600 may comprise other communication resources 624 (e.g., standard ornon-MIMO communication resources).

The MIMO resource pool 620 (e.g., the first set of MIMO processingresources 621 and the second set of MIMO processing resources 622) maygenerally comprise any of a variety of MIMO communication resources. Forexample and without limitation, the MIMO resource pool 620 may sharevarious characteristics or components with the exemplary MIMO systems100, 200 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and discussed previously. For example,the MIMO resource pool 620 (e.g., the first and second sets of MIMOprocessing resources 621, 622) may comprise channel encoders,interleavers, serial-to-parallel converters, MIMO demodulators,de-interleavers, channel decoders, etc.

The MIMO resource pool 620 may generally comprise various MIMOprocessing resources, which may be allocated for communicatinginformation (e.g., a unit of information or portion thereof). In anon-limiting exemplary scenario, such allocated MIMO processingresources may communicate information with a plurality of transceivers(e.g., any of the first transceiver 640 through the n^(th) transceiver650), which in turn communicate signals with a plurality ofcorresponding antennas (e.g., the first antenna 660 through n^(th)antenna 670).

The resource allocation module 610 may allocate various MIMOcommunication resources for communicating information (e.g., a unit ofinformation or portion(s) thereof). Units of information, portionsthereof, and MIMO communication resources were generally discussedpreviously with regard to the exemplary systems 100-200 and methods300-500 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and discussed previously.

The resource allocation module 610 may, for example, determine a firstset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating a firstportion of a unit of information. The resource allocation module 610may, for example and without limitation, share various functionalcharacteristics with step 320 of the exemplary method 300 illustrated inFIG. 3 and discussed previously.

The resource allocation module 610 may, for example and withoutlimitation, determine the first (or 2^(nd) or n^(th)) portion of theunit of information in any of a variety of manners, examples of whichwill be provided below.

The first set of MIMO communication resources may comprise any of avariety of MIMO communication resources or one or more portions thereof.For example and without limitation, the first set of MIMO communicationresources may comprise a first set of MIMO processing resources 621. Thefirst set of MIMO communication resources may also comprise a firstplurality of antennas (e.g., at least a portion of the first antenna 660through n^(th) antenna 670). In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, thefirst set of MIMO communication resources may comprise three of fouravailable MIMO antennas (e.g., three of the first antenna 660 throughn^(th) antenna 670, where n=4). Also for example and without limitation,the first set of MIMO communication resources may comprise a firstplurality of transceivers (e.g., a plurality of the first transceiver640 through n^(th) transceiver 650). In a non-limiting exemplaryscenario, the first set of MIMO communication resources may comprise twoof four available transceivers (e.g., two of the first transceiver 640through n^(th) transceiver 650, where n=4).

The resource allocation module 610 may determine the first set of MIMOcommunication resources in any of a variety of manners. For example andwithout limitation, the resource allocation module 610 may determine theminimum number of MIMO communication resources necessary to meet minimumcommunication quality goals for the first portion of the unit ofinformation. Also for example, the resource allocation module 610 maydetermine the number of MIMO communication resources that maycommunicate the first portion of the unit of information in the mostenergy-efficient manner. Further for example, the resource allocationmodule 610 may determine the first set of MIMO communication resourcesbased, at least in part, on the available MIMO communication resourcesat other communication systems. Accordingly, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of determining a set of MIMOcommunication resources or corresponding apparatus for making suchdetermination.

The resource allocation module 610 may, for example, allocate the firstset of MIMO communication resources for communicating the first portionof the unit of information. The resource allocation module 610 may, forexample and without limitation, share various functional characteristicswith step 330 of the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 anddiscussed previously.

The resource allocation module 610 may perform such allocation in any ofa variety of manners. The resource allocation module 610 may, forexample, perform such allocating by cross-listing the first set of MIMOcommunication resources with the first portion of information. Also forexample, the resource allocation module 610 may perform such allocatingutilizing allocation flags, arrays and/or tables. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of performing a resourceallocation or corresponding apparatus for performing such allocation.

The resource allocation module 610 may, for example, determine a secondset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information, the second set of MIMOcommunication resources being different from the first set of MIMOcommunication resources. The resource allocation module 610 may, forexample and without limitation, share various characteristics with step340 of the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussedpreviously.

As will be illustrated later by example, the resource allocation module610 may make such a determination at any of a variety of times and inresponse to any of a variety of conditions. For example and withoutlimitation, the resource allocation module 610 may make such adetermination prior to communicating the unit of information (e.g.,prior to beginning communication of the first and second portions of theunit of information). Also for example, the resource allocation module610 may make such a determination during or after communication of thefirst portion of the unit of information and prior to communication ofthe second portion of the unit of information. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular timing or initiating condition fordetermining the second set of MIMO communication resources.

As discussed previously, the second portion of the unit of informationmay be related to the first portion of the unit of information in any ofa variety of manners. For example and without limitation, the first andsecond portions may correspond to different priority information of theunit of information, different media, different types of information,etc. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of a particular portion orcomponent of a unit of information.

The second set of MIMO communication resources may be generallydifferent (i.e., not having exactly the same membership) from the firstset of MIMO communication resources. In a non-limiting exemplaryscenario, the first set of MIMO communication resources might compriseall of the available antennas (e.g., the first antenna 660 throughn^(th) antenna 670), while the second set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise less than all of the available antennas (e.g.,the first antenna 660 through m^(th) antenna, where m<n). In anothernon-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communication resourcesmight have a first and second transceiver (e.g., the first transceiver640 and a second transceiver), while the second set of MIMOcommunication resources might have a first, second and third transceiver(e.g., the first transceiver 640 and two other transceivers). In anothernon-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communication resourcesmight comprise first, second and third antennas and associatedtransceivers, while the second set of MIMO communication resources mightcomprise only a fourth antenna and associated transceiver.

In a further non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise a relatively large amount of available MIMOcommunication resources, and the second set of MIMO communicationresources might comprise a relatively small amount of available MIMOcommunication resources. In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, thefirst set of MIMO communication resources might generally correspond torelatively high reliability communications, while the second set of MIMOcommunication resources might generally correspond to relatively lowreliability communications. There may be overlapping members of thefirst and second sets of MIMO communication resources, but suchoverlapping membership is not necessary.

In general, the second set of MIMO communication resources may begenerally different (i.e., not having exactly the same membership) fromthe first set of MIMO communication resources. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of particular respective memberships of the first andsecond sets of MIMO communication resources.

The resource allocation module 610 may, for example, allocate the secondset of MIMO communication resources for communicating the second portionof the unit of information. The resource allocation module 610 may, forexample and without limitation, share various functional characteristicswith step 350 of the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 anddiscussed previously.

The resource allocation module 610 may perform such allocation in any ofa variety of manners. The resource allocation module 610 may, forexample, perform such allocating by cross-listing the second set of MIMOcommunication resources with the second portion of the unit ofinformation. Also for example, the resource allocation module 610 mayperform such allocating utilizing allocation flags, arrays and/ortables. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of any particularmanner of performing a resource allocation or apparatus for performingsuch allocation.

The exemplary system 600 may, for example and without limitation,perform any of a variety of additional communication-related processing.For example and without limitation, the exemplary system 600 maycommunicate the first and second portions of the unit of informationutilizing the first and second sets of MIMO communication resources,respectively. As will be discussed later with exemplary illustrations,the exemplary system 600 may communicate the first and second portionsof the unit of information in series or parallel (i.e., consecutively orsimultaneously).

The exemplary system 600 may, for example and without limitation,comprise a user interface module that performs user interface functions.The exemplary system 600 may also, for example, comprise a communicationcondition monitor 630, which monitors communication quality and/orcommunication conditions associated with communicating the unit ofinformation. The exemplary system 600 may communicate additional unitsof information. The exemplary system 600 (e.g., utilizing the resourceallocation module 610) may determine and allocate MIMO communicationresources for communicating next portions of the unit of information orother units of information. The scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of particular typesof additional processing that may be performed by the exemplary system600.

The following discussion will, by way of example, illustrate variousadditional aspects of the present invention. The specific exemplaryillustrations generally provide specific examples of generally broaderaspects of the present invention, and accordingly, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of the exemplary illustrations.

In a first exemplary scenario, the resource allocation module 610 maydetermine a first set of MIMO communication resources to utilize forcommunicating a first portion of a unit of information. The resourceallocation module 610 may, for example and without limitation, sharevarious functional characteristics with step 420 of the exemplary method400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously.

For example, the resource allocation module 610 may determine the first(or 2^(nd) or n^(th)) portion of the unit of information (e.g., to whichthe determined first set of MIMO communication resources may correspond)in any of a variety of manners. For example and without limitation, theresource allocation module 610 may determine the first portion of theunit of information based, at least in part, on information priority.For example, the resource allocation module 610 may determine that aunit of information comprises information of different types, each ofwhich having a corresponding priority. In a non-limiting example, theresource allocation module 610 may determine that a first portion of avideoconference comprises audio information, which may have a higherpriority than a second portion of the videoconference comprising videoinformation. In another non-limiting example, the resource allocationmodule 610 may determine that a first portion of a telephonecommunication comprises communication support information, which mayhave a higher priority than a second portion of the telephonecommunication comprising general voice information.

Also for example and without limitation, the resource allocation module610 may determine the first portion of the unit of information to be theentire unit of information (e.g., at least for the time being). In anon-limiting example, the resource allocation module 610 may determinethat the first portion of the unit of information is the entire unit ofinformation, until an event occurs that causes the resource allocationmodule 610 to determine a second portion of the unit of information.Such an event may comprise characteristics of any of a variety ofcommunication events, including by not limited to, noise conditions,user input, changing geographical location, change in communicatedinformation, changing multi-path conditions, changing energy supply,component failure, etc.

In general, in various non-limiting examples, the resource allocationmodule 610 may determine the first portion of the unit of information.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner ofmaking such determination or apparatus for making such determination.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the resource allocation module610 may allocate the first set of MIMO communication resources forcommunicating the first portion of the unit of information. The resourceallocation module 610 may, for example and without limitation, sharevarious functional characteristics with step 430 of the exemplary method400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 maycommunicate the first portion of the unit of information utilizing thefirst set of MIMO communication resources (e.g., as previouslydetermined and allocated by the resource allocation module 610). Thecommunication system 600 may, for example and without limitation, sharevarious functional characteristics with step 432 of the exemplary method400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously.

For example, the exemplary system 600 may communicate the first portionof the unit of information in any of a variety of manners. For exampleand without limitation, the exemplary system 600 may utilize MIMOcommunication resources (e.g., one or more MIMO encoders of the MIMOresource pool 620) to encode the first portion of the unit ofinformation in accordance with a first MIMO encoding scheme. In anon-limiting example, where the first set of MIMO communicationresources includes two of four available antennas (e.g., the firstantenna 660 and a second antenna), the exemplary system 600 may utilizea MIMO encoder (e.g., of the first set of MIMO processing resources 621)to encode the first portion of the unit of information in accordancewith an order-2 MIMO encoding scheme, and then transmit the encodedinformation from the two allocated antennas. The exemplary system 600may, for example, perform such communication by initially communicatingMIMO training information to the recipient(s) of the communication. Thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby any particular manner of communicating information utilizing a set ofMIMO communication resources.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 may,while communicating the first portion of the unit of information,utilize the communication condition monitor 630 to monitor communicationconditions. The exemplary system 600 (e.g., the communication conditionmonitor 630) may share various functional characteristics with step 434of the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussedpreviously.

As discussed previously, such communication conditions may comprise anyof a variety of communication conditions. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular communication condition that may bemonitored during communication of the first portion of the unit ofinformation.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 may,for example, determine whether to adjust the MIMO communication resourceallocation for a next (or second) portion of the unit of information.The exemplary system 600 may, for example and without limitation, sharevarious characteristics with step 436 of the exemplary method 400illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 600 may, for example, make such a determinationbased, at least in part, on communication conditions monitored by thecommunication condition monitor 630. For example, a significant changein one or more communication conditions during communication of thefirst portion of the unit of information may warrant a change in MIMOcommunication resources allocated to communicate a second portion of theunit of information.

In a first non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources may comprise all four of four available antennas (e.g., thefirst antenna 660 through n^(th) antenna 670, where n=4). Due to adetected change in multi-path communication conditions (e.g., acommunicating system moving into a wide open area) monitored by thecommunication condition monitor 630, the exemplary system 600 maydetermine that a different set of MIMO communication resources may bemore appropriate for communicating a second portion of the unit ofinformation.

In a second non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources may comprise two of four available antennas (e.g., the firstantenna 660 and a second antenna of the n antennas, where n=4). Due to adetected significant increase in noise level monitored by thecommunication condition monitor 630, the exemplary system 600 maydetermine that a different set of MIMO communication resources may bemore appropriate for communicating a second portion of the unit ofinformation.

In a third non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources may comprise three of four available transceivers (e.g., thefirst transceiver 640 and second and third transceivers of the ntransceivers, where n=4). Due to a detected significant change in theamount of energy remaining for communication (e.g., monitored by thecommunication condition monitor 630), the exemplary system 600 maydetermine that a different set of MIMO communication resources may bemore appropriate for communicating a second portion of the unit ofinformation (e.g., to conserve energy).

In a fourth non-limiting example, the first set of MIMO communicationresources may comprise two of four antennas (e.g., the first antenna 660and a second antenna of the n antennas, where n=4). Due to a detecteduser request for higher quality communications (e.g., detected by thecommunication condition monitor 630 working in conjunction with a userinterface module), the exemplary system 600 may determine that adifferent set of MIMO communication resources may be more appropriatefor communicating a second portion of the unit of information.

If an adjustment in allocated MIMO communication resources is notwarranted, the exemplary system 600 may continue monitoringcommunication conditions while communicating the unit of information. Ifan adjustment in allocated MIMO communication resources is warranted,the exemplary system 600 may utilize the resource allocation module 610to perform such re-allocation.

In general, the exemplary system 600 may determine whether to adjust theMIMO communication resource allocation for a next (or second) portion ofthe unit of information. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects ofthe present invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular criterion for making such determination or apparatus formaking such determination.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the resource allocation module610 may determine a second set of MIMO communication resources toutilize for communicating a second portion of the unit of information,the second set of MIMO communication resources being different from thefirst set of MIMO communication resources. The resource allocationmodule may, for example and without limitation, share various functionalcharacteristics with step 440 of the exemplary method 400 illustrated inFIG. 4 and discussed previously.

Continuing the non-limiting examples discussed previously with regard todetermining whether to adjust the MIMO communication resourceallocation, in the first non-limiting example, due to a detected changein multi-path communication conditions (e.g., a communicating systemmoving into a wide open area) monitored by the communication conditionmonitor 630, the resource allocation module 610 may determine that onlytwo antennas or one antenna may be more appropriate for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information. In the second non-limitingexample, due to a detected significant increase in monitored noiselevel, the resource allocation module 610 may determine that anincreased number of MIMO communication resources may be more appropriatefor communicating a second portion of the unit of information.

In the third non-limiting example, due to a detected reduction in theamount of energy remaining for communication (e.g., monitored by thecommunication condition monitor 630 in conjunction with power supplycircuitry), the resource allocation module 610 may determine that alesser amount (or greater amount, depending on the exact conditions) ofMIMO communication resources may be more appropriate for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information. In the fourth non-limitingexample, due to a detected user request for higher qualitycommunications (e.g., monitored by the communication condition monitor630 in conjunction with user interface circuitry), the resourceallocation module 610 may determine that the full set of MIMOcommunication resources be utilized for communicating a second portionof the unit of information.

In general, the resource allocation module 610 may determine a secondset of MIMO communication resources to utilize for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information, the second set of MIMOcommunication resources being different from the first set of MIMOcommunication resources. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects ofthe present invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular set of MIMO communication resources, any particular manner ofdetermining a set of MIMO communication resources to utilize forcommunication, or apparatus for making such determination.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the resource allocation module610 may, for example, allocate the second set of MIMO communicationresources for communicating the second portion of the unit ofinformation. The resource allocation module 610 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various functional characteristics with step450 of the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussedpreviously.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 may,for example, communicate the second portion of the unit of informationutilizing the second set of MIMO communication resources (e.g., asdetermined and allocated for such communication by the resourceallocation module 610). The exemplary system 600 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various functional characteristics with step452 of the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussedpreviously.

Continuing the first exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 may,for example, perform additional processing. The exemplary system 600may, for example and without limitation, share various functionalcharacteristics with step 460 of the exemplary method 400 illustrated inFIG. 4 and discussed previously.

For example, the exemplary system 600 may utilize a user interfacemodule to perform user interface processing. Also for example, theexemplary system 600 may complete communication of the second portion ofthe unit of information utilizing the second set of MIMO communicationresources. Further for example, the exemplary system 600 may utilize thecommunication condition monitor 630 during communication of the secondportion of the unit of information to monitor communication conditions(e.g., with the potential to change to a third or n^(th) set ofallocated MIMO communication resources for communicating a third orn^(th) portion of the unit of information). The scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular additional processing.

The first non-limiting exemplary scenario was presented to providespecific illustrations of generally broader aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by specific characteristics of the firstnon-limiting exemplary scenario.

In a second non-limiting exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600(e.g., the resource allocation module 610 or other module thereof) may,for example, determine a plurality of portions of the unit ofinformation (e.g., prior to the exemplary system 600 communicating theunit of information). The exemplary system 600 (e.g., the resourceallocation module 610 or other module thereof) may, for example andwithout limitation, share various functional characteristics with step515 of the exemplary method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussedpreviously.

As discussed previously (e.g., with regard to step 420 of the exemplarymethod 400 illustrated in FIG. 4), portions of the unit of informationmay be determined in any of a variety of manners. For example andwithout limitation, the exemplary system 600 may determine a first andsecond (to n^(th)) portion of the unit of information in any of avariety of manners. For example and without limitation, the exemplarysystem 600 may determine a plurality of portions of the unit ofinformation based, at least in part, on information priority orinformation type. For example, the exemplary system 600 may determine aplurality of portions of the unit of information, each of which maycomprise a portion of the unit of the information to be communicatedsimultaneously (e.g., parallel streams of audio and video information).

Continuing the second exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 may,for example, utilize the resource allocation module 610 to determine aplurality of sets of MIMO communication resources, corresponding to theplurality of portions of the unit of information (e.g., as determinedpreviously by the exemplary system 600), to utilize for communicatingthe unit of information. The resource allocation module 610 may, forexample and without limitation, share various functional characteristicswith step 520 of the exemplary method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 anddiscussed previously.

Continuing the second exemplary scenario, the resource allocation module610 may, for example, allocate each of the plurality of sets of MIMOcommunication resources to a corresponding portion of the unit ofinformation. The resource allocation module 610 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various functional characteristics with step530 of the exemplary method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussedpreviously.

Continuing the second exemplary scenario, the exemplary system 600 may,for example, communicate the first and second portions of the unit ofinformation (e.g., simultaneously) utilizing the first and second setsof MIMO communication resources, respectively (e.g., as determined bythe resource allocation module 610). In a non-limiting example, theexemplary system 600 may communicate a first portion of the unit ofinformation utilizing the first set of MIMO communication resources,while communicating a second portion of the unit of informationutilizing the second set of MIMO communication resources.

The second non-limiting exemplary scenario was presented to providespecific illustrations of generally broader aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by specific characteristics of thesecond non-limiting exemplary scenario.

The exemplary system 600, and modules thereof, may be implemented inhardware, software or a combination thereof. Also, various modules mayshare various hardware and/or software sub-modules. As a non-limitingexample, a first module and a second module may share processinghardware or may share various software code segments. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby any particular hardware or software implementation of the exemplarysystem 600 (or portions thereof) or by any arbitrary notion ofboundaries between modules.

In addition, the exemplary system 600 may be implemented in any of avariety of degrees of integration. For example, the entire system 600may be implemented on a single integrated circuit. Also for example, theentire system 600, except for the antennas, may be integrated on asingle integrated circuit. Further for example, the exemplary system 600may be implemented on a plurality of integrated circuits. Accordingly,the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not belimited by characteristics of a particular degree of integration ordistribution.

In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a systemand method for providing dynamic allocation of MIMO communicationresources across a single communication. While the invention has beendescribed with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be madeand equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, butthat the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scopeof the appended claims.

1. In a MIMO communication system, a method for allocating MIMOcommunication resources of a portable MIMO communication system, themethod comprising: determining a first set of MIMO communicationresources of a portable MIMO communication system to utilize forcommunicating a first portion of a unit of information from the portableMIMO communication system to a MIMO communication network in a MIMOtransmission, where the unit of information is a quantifiable amount ofrelated information; allocating the first set of MIMO communicationresources for communicating the first portion of the unit ofinformation; determining a second set of MIMO communication resources ofthe portable MIMO communication system to utilize for communicating asecond portion of the unit of information from the portable MIMOcommunication system to the MIMO communication network in a MIMOtransmission, a portion of the second set of MIMO communicationresources being different from the first set of MIMO communicationresources, a portion of the second set of MIMO communication resourcesoverlapping with the first set of MIMO communication resources; andallocating the second set of MIMO communication resources forcommunicating the second portion of the unit of information.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising utilizing the allocated second setof MIMO communication resources to communicate the second portion of theunit of information from the portable MIMO communication system to theMIMO communication network in a MIMO transmission after utilizing theallocated first set of MIMO communication resources to communicate thefirst portion of the unit of information from the portable MIMOcommunication system to the MIMO communication network in a MIMOtransmission.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing theallocated second set of MIMO communication resources to communicate thesecond portion of the unit of information from the portable MIMOcommunication system to the MIMO communication network in a MIMOtransmission while utilizing the allocated first set of MIMOcommunication resources to communicate the first portion of the unit ofinformation from the portable MIMO communication system to the MIMOcommunication network in a MIMO transmission.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising communicating the first portion of the unit ofinformation from the portable MIMO communication system to the MIMOcommunication network utilizing the allocated first set of MIMOcommunication resources, and wherein determining a second set of MIMOcommunication resources of the portable MIMO communication system toutilize for communicating a second portion of the unit of information tothe MIMO communication network comprises determining at least a portionof the second set of MIMO communication resources after startingcommunicating the first portion of the unit of information.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein determining a second set of MIMOcommunication resources of the portable MIMO communication system toutilize for communicating a second portion of the unit of information tothe MIMO communication network comprises determining the second set ofMIMO communication resources in response to communication conditionsdetermined during communicating the first portion of the unit ofinformation.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of theunit of information primarily comprises communication-supportinformation, and the second portion of the unit of information primarilycomprises general information.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst portion of the unit of information primarily comprises informationof a first medium of multi-media communication, and the second portionof the unit of information primarily comprises information of a secondmedium of multi-media communication that is different from the firstmedium.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining thefirst and second portions of the unit of information based, at least inpart, on information priority.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of MIMO communication resources comprises a first plurality ofantennas, and the second set of MIMO communication resources comprises asecond plurality of antennas, the second plurality and the firstplurality being different by at least one antenna.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the first plurality of antennas and the secondplurality of antennas share at least one antenna.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising encoding the first portion of the unit ofinformation in accordance with a first MIMO encoding scheme, andencoding the second portion of the unit of information in accordancewith a second MIMO encoding scheme that is different from the first MIMOencoding scheme.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the unit ofinformation is a multi-media program.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinthe unit of information is a telephone call.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein: the unit of information comprises a plurality of parallelstreams of information; the first portion of the unit of informationcomprises at least a first stream of the plurality of parallel streams;and the second portion of the unit of information comprises at least asecond stream of the plurality of parallel streams.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first set of MIMO communication resources comprisesa first plurality of transceivers of the portable MIMO communicationsystem, and the second set of MIMO communication resources comprises asecond plurality of transceivers of the portable MIMO communicationsystem different from the first plurality of transceivers.
 16. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining a first set of MIMO communicationresources comprises determining a set of MIMO communication resources ofthe portable MIMO communication system that will communicate the firstportion of the unit of information in the most energy-efficient manner.17. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a second set of MIMOcommunication resources comprises determining the second set of MIMOcommunication resources of the portable MIMO communication system inresponse to a significant change in amount of energy remaining forcommunication in the portable MIMO communication system.
 18. The methodof claim 1, wherein determining a second set of MIMO communicationresources comprises determining the second set of MIMO communicationresources of the portable MIMO communication system in response to auser request for higher quality communication.
 19. In a MIMOcommunication system, a method for allocating MIMO communicationresources of a portable MIMO communication system, the methodcomprising, prior to communicating a unit of information: determining aplurality of portions of the unit of information, where the unit ofinformation is a quantifiable amount of related information; determininga plurality of different respective sets of MIMO communication resourcesof a portable MIMO communication system, corresponding to the pluralityof portions of the unit of information, to utilize for communicating theunit of information from the portable MIMO communication system to aMIMO communication network in respective MIMO transmissions, where theplurality of respective sets are different from each other yet share atleast one MIMO communication resource; and allocating each of theplurality of sets of MIMO communication resources to a correspondingportion of the plurality of portions.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein communicating the unit of information comprises communicating aplurality of different types of information, and determining a pluralityof portions of the unit of information comprises identifying at least aportion of the different types of information.
 21. In a MIMOcommunication system, a sub-system for allocating MIMO communicationresources of a portable MIMO communication system, the sub-systemcomprising at least one module that operates to: determine a first setof MIMO communication resources of a portable MIMO communication systemto utilize for communicating a first portion of a unit of informationfrom the portable MIMO communication system to a MIMO communicationnetwork in a MIMO transmission, where the unit of information is aquantifiable amount of related information; allocate the first set ofMIMO communication resources for communicating the first portion of theunit of information; determine a second set of MIMO communicationresources of the portable MIMO communication system to utilize forcommunicating a second portion of the unit of information from theportable MIMO communication system to the MIMO communication network ina MIMO transmission, a portion of the second set of MIMO communicationresources being different from the first set of MIMO communicationresources, a portion of the second set of MIMO communication resourcesoverlapping with the first set of MIMO communication resources; andallocate the second set of MIMO communication resources forcommunicating the second portion of the unit of information.
 22. Thesub-system of claim 21, wherein the at least one module operates toutilize the allocated second set of MIMO communication resources tocommunicate the second portion of the unit of information from theportable MIMO communication system to the MIMO communication network ina MIMO transmission after utilizing the allocated first set of MIMOcommunication resources to communicate the first portion of the unit ofinformation from the portable MIMO communication system to the MIMOcommunication network in a MIMO transmission.
 23. The sub-system ofclaim 21, wherein the at least one module operates to utilize theallocated second set of MIMO communication resources to communicate thesecond portion of the unit of information from the portable MIMOcommunication system to the MIMO communication network in a MIMOtransmission while utilizing the allocated first set of MIMOcommunication resources to communicate the first portion of the unit ofinformation from the portable MIMO communication system to the MIMOcommunication network in a MIMO transmission.
 24. The sub-system ofclaim 21, wherein the at least one module operates to communicate thefirst portion of the unit of information from the portable MIMOcommunication system to the MIMO communication network utilizing theallocated first set of MIMO communication resources, and wherein the atleast one module operates to determine a second set of MIMOcommunication resources to utilize for communicating a second portion ofthe unit of information to the MIMO communication network by, at leastin part, determining at least a portion of the second set of MIMOcommunication resources after communication of the first portion of theunit of information begins.
 25. The sub-system of claim 24, wherein theat least one module operates to determine a second set of MIMOcommunication resources of the portable MIMO communication system toutilize for communicating a second portion of the unit of information tothe MIMO communication network by, at least in part, determining thesecond set of MIMO communication resources in response to communicationconditions determined during communicating the first portion of the unitof information.
 26. The sub-system of claim 21, wherein the firstportion of the unit of information primarily comprisescommunication-support information, and the second portion of the unit ofinformation primarily comprises general information.
 27. The sub-systemof claim 21, wherein the first portion of the unit of informationprimarily comprises information of a first medium of multi-mediacommunication, and the second portion of the unit of informationprimarily comprises information of a second medium of multi-mediacommunication that is different from the first medium.
 28. Thesub-system of claim 21, further comprising at least one module thatdetermines the first and second portions of the unit of informationbased, at least in part, on information priority.
 29. The sub-system ofclaim 21, wherein the first set of MIMO communication resourcescomprises a first plurality of antennas, and the second set of MIMOcommunication resources comprises a second plurality of antennas, thesecond plurality and the first plurality being different by at least oneantenna.
 30. The sub-system of claim 29, wherein the first plurality ofantennas and the second plurality of antennas share at least oneantenna.
 31. The sub-system of claim 21, wherein the at least one moduleoperates to encode the first portion of the unit of information inaccordance with a first MIMO encoding scheme, and encode the secondportion of the unit of information in accordance with a second MIMOencoding scheme that is different from the first MIMO encoding scheme.32. The sub-system of claim 21, wherein the unit of information is amulti-media program.
 33. The sub-system of claim 21, wherein the unit ofinformation is a telephone call.
 34. The sub-system of claim 21,wherein: the unit of information comprises a plurality of parallelstreams of information; the first portion of the unit of informationcomprises at least a first stream of the plurality of parallel streams;and the second portion of the unit of information comprises at least asecond stream of the plurality of parallel streams.
 35. In a MIMOcommunication system, a method for allocating MIMO communicationresources, the method comprising: determining a first set of MIMOcommunication resources of a portable MIMO communication system toutilize for communicating a first portion of a telephone conversationfrom the portable MIMO communication system to a MIMO communicationnetwork in a MIMO transmission; allocating the first set of MIMOcommunication resources for communicating the first portion of thetelephone conversation from the portable MIMO communication system tothe MIMO communication network; determining a second set of MIMOcommunication resources of the portable MIMO communication system toutilize for communicating a second portion of the telephone conversationfrom the portable MIMO communication system to the MIMO communicationnetwork in a MIMO transmission, at least a portion of the second set ofMIMO communication resources being different from the first set of MIMOcommunication resources, at least a portion of the second set of MIMOcommunication resources being the same as the first set of MIMOcommunication resources; and allocating the second set of MIMOcommunication resources for communicating the second portion of thetelephone conversation from the portable MIMO communication system tothe MIMO communication network.
 36. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising utilizing the allocated second set of MIMO communicationresources to communicate the second portion of the telephoneconversation from the portable MIMO communication system to the MIMOcommunication network in a MIMO transmission after utilizing theallocated first set of MIMO communication resources to communicate thefirst portion of the telephone conversation from the portable MIMOcommunication system to the MIMO communication network in a MIMOtransmission.